By Page H. Gifford
A wagging tail, a second chance, and a community coming together—all aimed at helping homeless pets find care and forever homes.
Sips & Strays is a fundraising campaign created by the Fluvanna SPCA staff.
“We were chatting about all the amazing local wineries and breweries and wanting to find a way to bring more customers to their establishments while also providing funding for Fluvanna SPCA,” said Zach Boerboom, FSPCA director. “We reached out to many of the local businesses with the idea of building a passport that offers customers special discounts and incentives to visit each winery or brewery throughout the year.”
Boerboom said each participating location has provided exclusive discounts or offers to anyone who purchases a passport. Those include 10% off wine bottles, 50% off draft beers, discounted overnight stays, and a free appetizer.
“For the 2026 Sips & Strays, we have a total of 11 offers from 11 businesses,” he said. “We expect that more businesses will participate in the 2027 passport.”
Funds raised will go toward the shelter’s most pressing needs. Fluvanna SPCA often relies on local veterinary hospitals for extensive animal care, while day-to-day operations continue to strain facility systems, such as HVAC.
Space constraints at the shelter have also long limited capacity.
“We need to increase our lifesaving abilities by expanding housing options,” Boerboom said.
He added that the campaign is also about increasing visibility.
“We hope these partnerships increase our recognition within the community. Fluvanna SPCA is proud to be improving the resources we can offer, and we want more people to be aware of them.”
If successful, organizers expect Sips & Strays to become an annual event.
Boerboom also pointed to a broader trend: partnerships between local businesses and nonprofits are on the rise, benefiting both sides.
“Nonprofits are built to support the communities they serve, and partnering with local businesses helps bring more attention to the work both are doing,” he said.
Sips & Strays passports are still available for purchase at the Fluvanna SPCA. The passports include special offers redeemable once a month at participating wineries and breweries for the remainder of the year.
“Please come support us—and enjoy a drink while doing so.”
